“Dubrovnik is only 270 km away from Tirana. But, it took me 6 hours to reach Tirana. Often, I go to Vienna and then take a flight to Tirana. I think, we should work on direct connections. We could meet more often if we were better connected,” he said during a joint press conference with FM Ferit Hoxha in Tirana.

The Croatian minister said that both countries will pay more attention to cooperation in the field of protection and preservation of the Adriatic Sea. He also emphasized Croatia’s support for development of the Adriatic-Ionian Corridor and energy projects, including the Adriatic-Ionian gas pipeline, which as he put it, will strengthen regional connectivity, energy security and economic development.

During the talks between the two ministers, there was also discussed on cooperation in the field of security and defense, including the trilateral partnership between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo, as well as police cooperation, migration management and border protection. /p.s./

Hoxha held a meeting with Luxair CEO Gilles Feith and his team to discuss potential air links between Albania and Luxembourg.

In a productive meeting with Luxair CEO Gilles Feith, we explored establishing direct flights connecting Albania and Luxembourg, stated Hoxha.

“We are moving beyond rhetoric to make economic diplomacy the driving force of our foreign policy”, Hoxha wrote in a post on social networks, adding that this is not a slogan.

Hoxha underlined that Albania’s tourism boom and expanding aviation sector create significant potential for new routes and closer trade cooperation.

“Air connectivity is Albania’s engine for growth. By fostering trade, boosting tourism, and accelerating EU integration, enhanced flight networks do more than move people—they drive our national development strategy,” stressed Minister Hoxha.

Hoxha welcomed Luxair to the Albanian market and said he looks forward to further cooperation. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

President of the Republic Bajram Begaj and His Majesty King Abdullah II reaffirmed this commitment in Amman.

Begaj’s visit to Jordan will give a new impetus to bilateral relations between the two countries and will serve to consolidate political, economic, and security cooperation as well as expand in other areas of mutual interest.

The heads of the two states emphasized the significance of advancing the common agenda of cooperation, while expressing the will to advance the partnership built on mutual respect, lasting friendship and mutual understanding.

Both interlocutors expressed the determination to transform opportunities into achievements through increased investments.

President Begaj positively assessed that there is considerable potential to strengthen the economic dimension of cooperation and tourism development, emphasizing the significance of establishing a direct air route between the two countries.

The Head of State took the opportunity to express his gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah II for recognizing Kosovo and supporting it in international forums.

President Begaj and His Majesty King Abdullah II reaffirmed their stance on deepening multilateral cooperation, as both countries share the vision of contributing to regional and global stability, democracy and prosperity, while maintaining an open and constructive dialogue.

In this context, there was appreciated the bilateral cooperation with Jordan within the Aqaba process.

“Albania,” said President Begaj, “has actively embraced and promoted interfaith dialogue. Deeply committed to the protection of religious diversity, Albania continues to be a model of religious harmony,” stated President Begaj.

The interlocutors also talked on the Middle East, for which the two leaders shared the conviction that dialogue and peaceful solutions remain the only path to a just, sustainable and comprehensive solution to the conflict, in accordance with international law. /p.s./

Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today footage of flamingos flying across the lagoon, turning this park into a special ecotourism destination in Albania.

/m.q/j.p/p.s./

In context of his Doha visit, Qatar, PM Rama discussed with Al-Meer the entry of the prestigious company into Albania.

While sharing moments from this meeting in the social media, Rama wished that we would soon have the “Qatar Airways” flights to Tirana.

PM Rama is on a visit to Qatar during which he was initially received by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

PM Rama is heading a delegation composed by Minister of Finance Petrit Malaj and Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku appreciated this as a new bridge between Albania and Crete, which will serve thousands of Albanian citizens living and working on the Greek island, as well as increase the flow of visitors to Albania.

This new route is part of the strategy to expand air travel and promote Albania as a tourist and business destination for the Mediterranean region.

“Mother Teresa” airport is experiencing continuous growth, with 118 active destinations and a new record on the horizon, expecting to reach 12 million passengers this year,” Balluku said.

From January to September, Rinas Airport has handled a high number of passengers and tourists, thus becoming the largest entry and exit gate in Albania.

According to data in the first 9 months of the current year, it turns out that Rinas handled over 9 million passengers entering and departing from our country. /a.f/r.e/p.s./

“25 years ago, you had less than 100 street lights, while 25 years later under this leadership, you see a thriving community and city that is moving in the right direction,” Adams said in a statement to the media.

“From the absence of street lighting to a Minister of Artificial Intelligence,” said Rama.
Adams further noted that in New York City lives one of the largest, if not the largest, Albanian community outside of Albania.

Adams also touched on tourism, emphasizing that during the meeting with PM Rama, they also talked about a direct flight line to New York.

Adams said that they also talked on immigration.

Further on, the mayor of New York stated that they are committed to trade between the two countries.

Adams added that, “We must come together to face global challenges because with the introduction of the internet and communication, it is clear that we no longer live in a separate environment, we share the same space, the same concerns and the same destiny.”

Adams said there had been speculation about his visit to Albania. So, he explained that, “The reason is simple, to greet a friend, to learn from a friend, and to build a relationship with a friendship that will not allow us to be divided.”
“We will learn from each other, we will grow together just as we do in New York, just as you are doing here, in this extraordinary country with a rich history.”/m.q/j.p/p.s./

Today, there was carried the first certification flight.

Attending the ceremony was Prime Minister Edi Rama and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku.

Vlora International Airport (VIA) will be the gateway to southern Albania. This airport will contribute to the overall economic growth of the country and will transform southern Albania into a tourist hotspot, capable of attracting foreign direct investment thanks to an airport located less than 1 hour away from tourist and urban attractions.

With Vlora Airport put in operation, the country will benefit from low-cost airlines that will enter the market, as well as encourage investors to develop the airport and tourism infrastructure in the area.

This airport is being materialized on the ground to become the main airport of the country, which will operate with over 3 business models: civil aviation, aircraft maintenance and a genuine cargo.

With an area of ​​309 hectares, a 3.2 km runway and an investment of 104 million euros, the southern air gateway aims to give another boost to the development of the area, especially tourism in the country. It is designed to accommodate all flights anywhere in the world and transoceanic ones. /k.s//p.s./

This route will operate three times a week, offering more travel opportunities for tourists, business travelers and the Albanian and Israeli communities.

TIA’s Chief Operating Officer Piervittorio Farabbi stated that this route is a bridge that connects not only two cities, but two peoples.

“We know that Israel is a market with great interest for tourism and we hope that this is just the beginning of a successful cooperation,” he said.

On his part, Director of Albanian Civil Aviation Maksit Et’hemaj emphasized that in focus is the connection of continents, countries, cultures and people.

“One of the main tasks of civil aviation is to connect continents, countries, cultures and people. We are proud to welcome today a prestigious operator like Sandor El Al, as a result of joint and continuous work. Israeli tourists will take back to their country beautiful memories of Albania and this flow is expected to grow,” he said.

While Israeli Ambassador to Albania Galit Peleg spoke about the close relations between the two countries.

“Today, there is a historic moment. We know that special ties exist between Israel and Albania, but now we have a direct flight, a physical connection. I have no doubt that Sandor Airlines will bring more Israeli citizens to Albania and will take Albanians to Israel. This line will further strengthen our close relations, economic cooperation and tourism,” the ambassador said.

CEO of Sandor El Al Gal Gershon said that the citizens of the two countries will be able to get to know better each other’s cultures.

“Passengers were excited about this first flight. I am very happy that Sandor is connecting Israel with Albania. I hope that more and more Israelis will have the opportunity to visit this beautiful and hospitable country, and that we also welcome more Albanians to Israel to have a taste of our history and culture,” he emphasized. Tel Aviv – Tirana airline, which is added to the map of Albania’s international destinations, is expected to bring significant growth in tourism, strengthen economic relations and create new bridges of cooperation between the two countries. /r.e/j.p/p.s./

This type of training aims to train pilots in more difficult conditions, to give operators the opportunity to master the UAV system of these aircraft as well as possible.

This pilots get skills and knowledge required to safe remote navigation of these vehicles in dark conditions. Training also includes the use of night vision equipment and thermal imaging systems.

Pilots and operators were also trained to interpret images, which are essential for identifying objects.

Bayraktar drones were added to the fleet of the Armed Forces of Albania, as part of the upgrade process which envisages to build capacities not only in military operations and training, but also in support of civil emergency operations or in monitoring the territory, in help of the country’s institutions with the most accurate images. /a.f/p.s./